Belt fed food casing system

A machine for stuffing a belt of shirred casing strands, the machine comprising:

• a stuffing horn adapted to engage a casing strand;
• a strand drum having a length, a diameter, and an outer surface, the outer surface of the strand drum having an indentation for receiving a belt of shirred casing strands, wherein the strand drum is moveable relative to the stuffing horn, and wherein the strand drum has a first position in which the stuffing horn is inserted into a central bore of one of the casing strands and a second position allowing movement of the strand drum without interference from the stuffing horn;
• and
• a motivator connected to the strand drum adapted to rotate the strand drum and position the indentation relative to the stuffing horn.

A system for stuffing shirred casing strands, the machine comprising:

• a belt with spaced pockets positioned along the belt for securing shirred casing strands;
• a stuffing horn adapted to engage a casing strand;
• a strand drum having a length, a diameter, and an outer surface, the outer surface of the strand drum having an indentation for receiving the pockets of the belt, wherein the pockets are adapted to receive a casing strand, each casing strand having a central bore;
• and
• a motor connected to the strand drum adapted to rotate the strand drum and position the indentation relative to the stuffing horn;
• wherein the strand drum is further moveable relative to the stuffing horn from a first position to a second position, wherein the first position allows the stuffing horn to be inserted into the central bore of one of the casings, and wherein the second position allows the strand drum to move without interference from the stuffing horn.